MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) On 10-4-24 at approximately 0915 hours a Mitchell Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in the Freedom Value Center (504 South Sanborn Blvd) parking lot. The vehicle was being driven by 42-year-old male Mark Leach (DOB 10-21-1981), who was identified as being an employee of the Freedom Value Center. Leach is on active Probation in South Dakota for a prior drug related conviction. During the traffic stop a search of Leach’s vehicle was conducted which led to Officers locating methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Upon completion of the traffic stop a search of Leach’s residence was conducted, which is located in the 700 block of South Rowley Street. Officers made contact with Leach’s roommate at the residence, who was identified as 46-year-old female Tina Hauge (DOB: 1-23-1978). During the search of the residence Officers located evidence of methamphetamine distribution. Officers also located controlled substance prescription medications which were not prescribed to Leach or Hauge. Leach and Hauge’s residence was located within a Drug Free Zone resulting in a Drug Free Zone Violation.
A consent search of the Freedom Value Center was conducted by law enforcement after the completion of the residential search. A Freedom Value Center employee was present for the search and was identified as 57 year old Shelly Klapkin (DOB: 4-18-1967). During the search of the Freedom Value Center Officers located methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia. While searching the Freedom Value Center, Officers located methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia that was able to be identified as belonging to Klapkin.
The Mitchell Police Department would like to state that Freedom Value Center upper management was very cooperative with the investigation. It appears at this time that upper management and ownership did not have knowledge or involvement in the illegal drug activity occurring at the Mitchell Freedom Value Center.
Mark Leach was arrested and charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine (S.D.C.L. 22-42-4.3), Two Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in Schedules 1 or 2 (S.D.C.L. 22-42-5), a Drug Free Zone Violation (S.D.C.L. 22-42-19), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (S.D.C.L. 22-42A-3).
Tina Hauge was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in Schedules 1 or 2 (S.D.C.L. 22-42-5), Possession of a Controlled Substance in Schedules 3 or 4 (S.D.C.L. 22-42-5), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (S.D.C.L. 22-42A-3).
Shelly Klapkin was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in Schedules 1 or 2 (S.D.C.L. 22-42-5) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (S.D.C.L. 22-42A-3).
The Mitchell Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Mitchell Court Services.